Antigua, Caribbean playground of the rich and famous

Antigua is perhaps one of the more anonymous luxury holiday destinations within the Caribbean, perhaps when compared to the likes of Barbados, Jamaica or the Bahamas for example; though in my opinion ambiguity breeds exclusivity. This isn’t a place that relies on bright lights and gimmicks but its own inherent charm to lure visitors to its shores. Antigua is situated near to the top of the rasp like arc of islands that forms the Antilles and is neighboured by St Kitts and Nevis to the West and Guadeloupe to the South.

Antigua is in fact a twin island nation, with the smaller community of Barbuda sharing legislative and judicial customs; though the subject of this article will focus mainly upon the latter, larger island.

An indiscernible ink blot of a land mass Antigua’s irregular coastline despite looking like some micro organism under a microscope is actually responsible for producing some of the most beautiful and isolated inlets, bays and beaches in the Caribbean.

The beautiful geography of this island has certainly attracted a discerning crowd over the years and guests who stay here can momentarily count amongst their neighbours Eric Clapton, Giorgio Armani, Sir Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey and CEO of IBM Thomas Watson Jnr.

In keeping with the standards set by this rabble of ‘locals’ some of the most luxurious properties in the Caribbean have been established on the island to cater for a discerning and ever growing clientele. Resorts such as Curtain Bluff, Hermitage Bay and Carlisle Bay have become institutions in Antigua attracting scores of guests from across the glob who come to sample to delicious food and quality service.

As the range of Antigua’s appeal begins to grow there are however a new breed of beautifully appointed but more modestly priced hotels and boutique properties to cater for travellers on all budgets. Sugar Ridge for example was a contender to appear on my last post on affordable luxury and at less than £80 per night promises five star luxury at a fraction of the price.

Antigua is a place that seems to reside between a paradox of either complete and utter relaxation or a colourful and energetic party bonanza. The veritable home of steel drum music and as one of the most famous rum producing regions in the Caribbean the island is never short of a celebration or two but if you’d rather relax in a quiet corner then there is more than enough opportunity to while away the hours in complete seclusion.

Chartering a yacht to tour around the island is a wonderful way to get another perspective of the mainland and the perfect time to enjoy some snorkelling or diving around the stunning reefs that shelter the island. You could supplement your stay on Antigua with a break to its sister island of Barbuda a short helicopter or sea plane journey away, this minute strip of island is in fact home to a handful of exclusive resorts and for those in search of unbridled intimacy, promises the perfect break.

On land the capital of St John’s and particularly Nelson’s Dockyard are worth exploring. Both offer an insight into the island’s colonial past and there is evidence of the former British rule all around.